Eggs hatch into mobile crawlers, which eventually settle down on the host plant, moult into the next instar and begin feeding.

[5] Ceroplastes rubens feeds on the sap of plant shoots, leaves and fruit stalks, sucking it out using a proboscis.

[5] In Australia, its host range includes avocado, citrus, custard apple, longan, mango, and many native shrubs (Callistemon, lillypilly, Pittosporum, umbrella tree) and exotic ornamental plants (e.g.

[5] In China, it infests over 40 species in 24 families, with its preferred hosts including Camellia, Cedrus deodara, Cinnamomum, citrus, Ilex cornuta, Magnolia and pine.

Like other scale insects, it excretes sugary honeydew which covers leaves, promoting the growth of sooty mould.